Meet Maria: An Interview with an American girl who dreams of becoming a K-Pop Idol

[My Everything]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFkhhaF8XaU

 

The dream of becoming a K-Pop Idol is now something found worldwide, not just in Korea. This is perhaps thanks to the introduction of foreign artists including Lisa from Black Pink (Thailand), Jackson from GOT7 (Hong Kong), and Tzuyu from TWICE (Taiwan) in K-Pop groups today. However, it is still extremely difficult to become a K-Pop idol due to cutthroat competition, harsh training conditions, and serious time and social sacrifices. It is arguably even harder for a foreigner of no Korean, let alone Asian ethnicity, to succeed in the Korean entertainment industry.

 

Despite these challenges, one American singer is beating the odds to become a full-fledged singer in Korea. The following is an exclusive interview I had with Maria, who has aspirations of becoming a K-pop idol.

 

SQM: Please introduce yourself.

 

M: Hi, my name is Maria. I was born in September 2000, and my dream is to become a singer in Korea.

 

SQM: So, why K-Pop? What drew you to Korea and its culture?

 

M: The first K-Pop song I listened to was EXO's "CALL ME BABY." It drew me in because it was upbeat and made me want to dance! I love the Korean language and culture, so I have self-taught myself Korean via the internet for 2 years. I am conversational and nearly fluent in the language.

 

SQM: Are you part of an entertainment company or group?

 

M: No, however, I am currently auditioning for a variety of companies while attending an academy for singing, acting, and dancing. I go to the academy almost every day.

 

SQM: What kind of activities or events are you doing now?

 

M: I like to busk in the streets of Hongdae once in a while. But most of my time is spent at the academy.

 

SQM: How much of your success do you credit to the Born Star K-Pop Training Center?

 

Maria with Kim Tae Won, Director of Born Star Training Center.

 

M: Although I'd like to think most of my talent has been cultivated through my own training, I owe a big thanks to the Born Star in Sinsa, South Korea for treating me well, having faith in me, and helping me further develop my talents by providing vocal, dance, and acting lessons.

 

SQM: How would you describe your artistic style with three words?

 

M: I would describe it as fun, young, and charming.

 

SQM: Do you have a secret talent?

 

M: My secret talent is that I can do whistle tones!

 

SQM: What is your favorite song to sing?

 

M: My favorite song to sing is probably the Prologue version of "Butterfly" by BTS.

 

SQM: Do you have a favorite artist or someone who you wish would read this article?

 

M: These days a group called The Boyz inspires me and I hope to collab with them someday, especially either Jacob or Kevin.

 

SQM: I saw how you came on air for an episode in JTBC's 'Hidden Singer'! How was that like?

 

https://instagram.com/p/BkzYBHRHIoB/

 

 

M: 'Hidden Singer' was very exciting because I was able to meet PSY sunbaenim in real life, and appeared on Korean television for the first time!

 

SQM: Anything you'd like to tell the public?

 

M: Follow your dream, but more important than that, you have to believe in yourself. Faith and desire is the key.

 

 

 

 

If you'd like to support Maria and her journey to become a singer in Korea, follow her on her Instagram account @maria_liza17. Good luck, Maria!

 

https://www.allkpop.com/article/2018/08/meet-maria-an-interview-with-an-american-girl-who-dreams-of-becoming-a-k-pop-idol

[café]

I'm not one to judge someone over their dreams, but even though white people are usually glorified in Korean Media, I doubt she'd have any success even if she debuted. Just look at shannon..

[danni_iu_jess]

She stans The Boyz so i'm supporting her 

[Youmi]

Good for her

[café]

Good for her

 

oh another oreo

[secondgrade]

delusional

[harumaki]

She's gorgeous

[A h n]

"PSY sunbaenim" LOL

 

[My Everything]

I'm not one to judge someone over their dreams, but even though white people are usually glorified in Korean Media, I doubt she'd have any success even if she debuted. Just look at shannon..

Shannon is british-korean?

[café]

Shannon is british-korean?

 

Case in point. She's half-korean and she still didn't get success even though she's insanely talented and pretty. I doubt a fully white girl can do it. I mean Somi made it but she's under JYP..doubt this girl can make it into the Big 3

[Nimz]

She's cute, but she won't make it in kpop.

[SmallWorldBigHeart]

Her cover of 15& I Dream was really well and bespoke of good vocals. However, I think she will find it very difficult to be accepted as a singer in Korea. She seems to be competent in Korean and a good vocalist... perhaps she should focus on obtaining an education of vocal teaching/instructing. I see her doing very well as a music teacher/vocal instructor in Korea (if she wishes to remain in Korea) then ever really become a profitable singer in Korea. 

[Oodles]

LOL

[azran]

She's gorg and I appreciate that she's determined to follow her dreams, but........sis.............

 

Even if she does get to debut in a group, she won't be taken seriously. I mean shit, prove me wrong and all, but I'd be worried.

[Siobhan Halo]

I'm not going to knock anyone for having a go but she hasn't beaten any odds yet.

[acire]

she's pretty but i'm not sure she has much of a chance

[Pleasure]

LOL

[Niniveh]

That's her "dream" ??? Like in life?

 

Oh honey:(

[kimchi-nyoen]

Good Luck

[Moon River]

lol

[Rose.]

Idk, i've always been split on foreign k-pop idols. I never cared about the half and Asians being kpop idols, but westerners being kpop artists have always kind of made it cringey to me.

[MineMuses]

I'm not one to judge someone over their dreams, but even though white people are usually glorified in Korean Media, I doubt she'd have any success even if she debuted. Just look at shannon..

Look at Alex Reid

 

Dr Music deserves an award for being the messiest company 

She literally only performed the entire choreography with the group twice while being in America half the time the group was promoting 

 

and you know during the time she was in the group what got them the most views? 

A fancam of the Korean member's boobs 

 

oh well good luck to her. Hopefully she'll get into a good company that actually has some sense of organization 

[els775]

I have the same dream as her and I'm also white but I'm 21 haha. So I'm proud of her for going for her dreams. I've been trying since I was 14 and I still haven't made it but I never give up hope because you never know. Her Korean is pretty good too so good for her

 

Sent from my EML-L09 using OneHallyu mobile app

[planetaria]

she looks just like every other white girl on instagram that dreams about being a singer in korea.

[1Q98]

cute